Toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

A TOY VEHICLE COMPRISING A CHASSIS PORTION, A BODY PORTION AND AT LEAST TWO STEERABLE WHEELS, THE CHASSIS PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH A STEERING MECHANISM INCLUDING A TIE ROD EXTENDING GENERALLY LATERALLY THEREOF, MEANS SUPPORTING THE TIE ROD FOR LATERAL SLIDING MOVEMENT, A PAIR OF KINGPINS DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OPOSITE ENDS OF THE TIE ROD, MEANS SUPPORTING THE KINGPINS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENTS ABOUT GENERALLY VERTICAL AXES, MEANS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING THE STEERABLE WHEELS ON THE KINGPINS, AND PIVOT ARM MEANS PITOTABLY CONNECTING THE LATERALLY OUTER ENDS OF THE TIE ROD WITH THE KINGPINS, THE BODY PORTION BEING SUPPORTED ON THE CHASSIS PORTION FOR RELATIVE TILTING MOVEMENT ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY OF THE CHASSIS PORTION, WHEREUPON TILTING OF THE BODY PORTION RELATIVE TO THE CHASSIS PORTION EFFECTS LATERAL SLIDING MOVEMENT OF THE TIE ROD, WITH THE FURTHER RESULT THAT THE KINGPINS WILL BE PIVOTED IN A MANNER SO AS TO EFFECT STEERING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEELS, THE VEHICLE HAVING THE CHASSIS AND BODY PORTIONS INITIALLY, SUBSTANTIALLY PREASSEMBLED AND ADAPTED TO BE PAIR OF RESILIENT BEARING MEMBERS PROVIDED ON THE BODY PAIR OF RESILIENT BEARING MEMBERS PROVIDED ON THE BODY PORTION INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PIVOT MEMBER OR SHAFT PROVIDED ON THE CHASSIS PORTION.

R. S. LINSTEAD Sept. 20, 1971 TOY VEHICLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9.. 1968 INVENTO Xd /f -52 [7715x 44 A ,9 O UF VAXQQ'.

p 1971 R. s; LINSTEAD 3,605,331

TOY VEHICLE Filed Dec. 9, 196B 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A 4 ii //l j J /4 LE /511% Sep 20, 1971 R. s. LINSTEAD TOY VEHICLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 9. 1968 INYENTOR. Jzzzai aZ United States Patent Ofice 3,605,331 TOY VEHICLE Robert S. Linstead, Rockford, Ill., assignor to King-Seeley Thermos Co., Ann Arbor, Mich. Filed Dec. 9, 1968, Ser. No. 782,113 Int. Cl. A63h 17/05 US. Cl. 46-201 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toy vehicle comprising a chassis portion, a body portion and at least two steerable wheels; the chassis portion being provided with a steering mechanism including a tie rod extending generally laterally thereof, means supporting the tie rod for lateral sliding movement, a pair of kingpins disposed adjacent the opposite ends of the tie rod, means supporting the kingpins for pivotal movements about generally vertical axes, means rotatably supporting the steerable wheels on the kingpins, and pivot arm means pivotably connecting the laterally outer ends of the tie rod with the kingpins; the body portion being supported on the chassis portion for relative tilting movement about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the chassis portion, whereupon tilting of the body portion relative to the chassis portion effects lateral sliding movement of the tie rod, with the further result that the kingpins will be pivoted in a manner so as to effect steering movement of the vehicle wheels; the vehicle having the chassis and body portions initially, substantially preassembled and adapted to be operatively connected by merely snappingly engaging a pair of resilient bearing members provided on the body portion into engagement with a longitudinally extending pivot member or shaft provided on the chassis portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to simulate as closely as possible the handling characteristicsof actual vehicles, such as cars, trucks and the like, it has heretofore been suggested to provide toy or model vehicles with some type of steering mechanism in which a child may control the direction of travel toward which the toy vehicle is propelled. Originally, it was proposed to provide toy vehicles with a steering wheel or handle, for instance, located above the body of the vehicle, with the handle being connected to the steerable wheels of the toy through a suitable steering shaft or the like. Although such original designs have lent some degree of realism to toy vehicles, such a construction does not readily lend itself to one hand operation such as would occur when a child propels the toy along the floor or similar surface.

By virtue of the natural tendency of a child to push a non-steerable toy vehicle in the direction which it is desired to steer the vehicle, a steering mechanism was developed in the prior art which took advantage of this tendency by making the body portion of the toy tiltable or pivotable with respect to the vehicle chassis portion and steerable wheels, such that the tilting body. was utilized as a means to effect steering of the vehicle wheels, with the degree of tilt or angular displacement of the body portion determining the angle of steering. Such a concept is shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,386,744, issued to Yarbrough on Oct. 9, 1945.

Generally speaking, the toy vehicle of the present invention is related to toy vehicles of the type which embody the above described tilting concept in achieving preselected steering movement of the toy vehicle steerable wheels. More particularly, however, the present invention is directed toward a toy vehicle which incorporates a new and improved steering mechanism which is actuatable in 3,605,331 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 response to tilting movement of the body portion of a toy vehicle to effect preselected movement of the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The steering mechanism incorporated in the toy vehicle of the present invention is of an extremely simple design, both from the standpoint of the number of moving parts embodied therein, as well as the minimum number of manufacturing and assembling procedures required in the construction thereof.

A part1cular feature of the toy truck of the present invention resides in the fact that the steering mechanism employed therein is entirely devoid of any gear teeth, i.e., rack PlIllOIlS and the like, as has been utilized in related prior art devices, thereby minimizing manufacturing costs to a minimum. Another feature of the present invention resides in the method of assembly thereof. More particularly, the toy vehicle of the present invention is designed to be initially assembled in the form of two separate subassemblies, which subassemblies are adapted to be conveniently operatively connected together during a final assembly operation. With this design, the toy vehicle of the present invention readily lends itself to modern manufacturing techniques, such as for example, wherein each of the two subassemblies comprising the vehicle are manufactured and preassembled at different geographical locations and are transferred to some third location for final assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to toy vehicles and more particularly, to toy vehicles where steering is achieved by merely tilting the body portion of the vehicle in the direction toward which the vehicle is to be steered or directed.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toy vehicle.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toy vehicle which is adapted to be steered by merely tilting the body portion thereof toward the right or the left, depending upon the direction in which the vehicle is to be steered.

It is still a more particuar object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vehicle which incorporates a novel steering mechanism for steering the vehicle Wheels in response to tilting movement of the vehicle body.

It is yet a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved steering mechanism as above described which is of an extremely simple design, is easy to assemble and economical to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toy vehicle which may be assembled in a manner which minimizes to the extreme assembly time and expense.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toy vehicle wherein the chassis and body portions thereof are provided in the form of unitized subassemblies which may be readily engaged or coupled to one another by merely snappingly engaging one or more resilient bearing members into pivotal engagement with a longitudinally extending pivot member provided on one of the subassemblies.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toy vehicle which may be provided in various configurations or forms, ranging from toy passenger and truck vehicles to toy construction vehicles and the like.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a toy vehicle embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the toy vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the toy vehicle illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and illustrates the dump box lift mechanism incorporated therein, and

FIG. 8 is an exploded assembly view of the steering mechanism incorporated in the toy vehicle of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For purposes of clarity, the terms inner, outer and derivatives thereof will have reference to the geometric center of the toy vehicle of the present invention and the various component parts thereof. Similarly, the terms forwardly, rearwardly and the like will have reference to the forward and rearward ends of the toy vehicle of the present invention, with the forward end thereof being located at the left side of FIG. 1 and the rearward end thereof being located at the right side of this figure.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a toy vehicle 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown as comprising a body portion or cab 12 and frame portion or chassis 14, the latter of which is provided with a plurality of rotatable, but otherwise immovable rearward wheels, generally designated 16, and with a pair of forward steerable wheels, generally designated 18. As will hereinafter be described, the body portion 12 is mounted on the frame portion 14 in a manner such that the portion 12 may be tilted, either toward the left or toward the right along a pivotal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle 10, with the result that the forward wheels 18 will turn in the same direction toward which the body portion 112 is tilted, whereby the vehicle may be steered by the vehicle operator by merely tilting the body portion 12 relative to the chassis portion 14. It will be noted that although the vehicle 10 is shown in the form of a toy dump truck, the principles of the present invention may be readily incorporated in virtually all other types of toy vehicles, such as toy passenger cars, toy military vehicles, construction vehicles and the like, without departing from the scope or fair meaning of the present invention.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the chassis 14 extends longitudinally of the vehicle 10 and comprises a generally horizontally extending upper bed section 20 and a pair of vertically, extending, spaced side sections 22 and 24 which depend downwardly from and are integrally connected to the lateral side edges of the bed section 20. The side sections 22, 24 are formed with a pair of upwardly extending recessed portions 26' and 28, with the recessed portions 26 and 2 8 of each of the side sections 22, 24 being laterally aligned. The recessed portions 26, 28 are adapted to each receive and support one of a plurality of plastic axle keepers, generally designated by the numeral 30, which are preferably fabricated of a flexible resistant polyethylene or other suitable plastic material which is expendable and compressible within predetermined limits. Each of the keepers 30 comprises an intermediate, generally U-shaped section 32 and a pair of downwardly and outwardly extending leg sections 34 and 36. The intermediate sections 32 define generally cylindrical recesses 38 which are adapted to receive and rotatably support a pair of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending axle members 40 and 42 that extend laterally outwardly from the side sections 22, 24 and have the plurality of rear wheels 16 mounted thereon. The keepers 30 are slotted around the outer periphery thereof and are thereby adapted to be inserted into the recessed portions 26, 28 in a manner such that the peripheral slots nestingly receive the marginal edges of the recessed portions 26, 28 to positively retain the keepers 30 in their respective operative positions. Although the keepers 30 may be of various constructions, they are preferably of one of the constructions shown and described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,389,495; 3,389,497 or 3,389,498 which are incorporated herein by reference as a descriptive portion of the applicants specification.

Mounted upon the chassis 14 at a position above the rear wheels 16 is a generally parallelepiped shaped dump box, generally designated 44, which comprises a pair of longitudinally extending, spaced parellel side sections 46 and 48, a generally laterally extending front or forward section 50, a generally horizontally extending bottom section 52 and a laterally extending rearward section or tailgate 54 which is preferably pivotably connected by a pair of suitable pivot pins or the like 56 to the upper rearward ends of the side sections 46, 48. The dump box 44 is provided with a support frame, generally designated 58, on the lower side thereof, which frame 58 comprises a horizontally extending upper section 60 which is secured, as by spot welding or the like, to the lower side of the bottom section 52. The support frame 58 also comprises a pair of spaced parallel, longitudinally extending side sections 62 and 64- Which define generally horizontally extending shoulders 66 at the forward end thereof. The rearward end of the frame 58 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced, parallel and down-wardly extending sections 68, 70 which are disposed directly adjacent the laterally outer sides of the side sections 22 and 24 of the chassis 14 and are pivotably connected thereto by suitable pivot pin means or the like, as seen at 72 in FIG. 7. By virtue of the pivotal connection between the support frame 58 and the chassis 14, the dump box 44 is adapted to be pivotably biased between the solid and phantom line positions shown in FIG. 1, whereby to simulate the dumping action and operation of an actual dump truck vehicle.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the vehicle 10 is provided with a power cylinder, generally designated 74, adapted to normally resiliently bias the dump box 44 toward the phantom line position in FIG. 1. The cylinder 74 may be of any suitable construction known in the prior art, but preferably consists of a generally cylindrical housing 76 having a piston 78 and a piston rod 80 reciprocally mounted therein and movable coaxially thereof. The upper end of the piston rod 80 is connected through a suitable pivot pin, cotter key or the like 82 interjacent a pair of downwardly extending flange sections 84, 86 which are formed integral of the support frame 58. The lower, forward end of the power cylinder 74 is pivotably connected through a suitable pivot pin, cotter key or the like 88 between a pair of spaced parallel flange sections, generally designated 90, which project downwardly from the bed section 20 of the chassis 14 and one of which is shown in FIG. 7. The cylinder 74 is provided with an internal helical coil spring 92 which is adapted to exert a resilient outwardly directed force against the piston 78 and thereby bias the piston rod 80 longitudinally outwardly from the housing 76, as will be apparent, with the result that the dump box 44 will be pivotably biased towards the phantom line position in FIG. 1.

Means for selectively maintaining the dump box 44 in a retracted or lowered position is provided by a generally laterally extending tripping lever, generally designated 94, which is pivotably supported within a pair of laterally aligned openings 96 formed in the side sections 22, 24 of the chassis 14. The lever 94 comprises an upwardly, generally inverted U-shaped section 98 which is adapted to extend over the shoulders 66 and thereby maintain the dump box 44 in the lowered position. The lever 94 also comprises a manually engageable section 100 which extends longitudinally of the vehicle at a position spaced laterally outwardly from one side of the chassis 14, the section 100 being adapted to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, whereby to rotate the lever section 98 out of engagement with the shoulders 66 to permit the power cylinder 74 to bias the dump box 44 to a raised position. Suitable spring means (not shown) is provided on the tripping lever 94 to maintain the same in the position shown in FIG. 1, whereby the lever 94 will resiliently snap into engagement with the shoulders 66 when the dump box 44 is biased toward its lowered position,

Disposed directly forwardly of the dump box 44 and rearwardly of the body portion or cab 12 is a simulated fuel tank assemblage, generally designated 102, which is secured to the upper side of the chassis 14 and is adapted to simulate the fuel tank or other structural member of an actual dump truck type vehicle.

Referring now in detail to the body or cab portion 12 of the vehicle 10, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portion 12 comprises a generally flat, horizontally extending top section 104, a generally vertically extending back or rearward section 106 spaced immediately forwardly of the assemblage 102, a front section 108 including a front bumper 110, and side sections 112 and 114 which are provided with simulated entrance and exit doors 116. The cab portion 12 is provided with a suitable transparent windshield 118 and side windows 120 and may be and preferably is provided with internal seats and an instrument panel (not shown) which simulate the actual seats and instrument panel of an authentic truck vehicle. In a preferred construction of the present invention, the aforesaid seats and instrument panel, as well as the internal flooring, etc., is provided in the form of a one-piece molded plastic member which is inserted into the cab portion 12 through the open bottom end thereof prior to the cab portion 12 being assembled onto the chassis portion 14, as will hereinafter be described.

Extending longitudinally of the cab portion 12 adjacent the lower or underside thereof is a generally flat, horizontally disposed bottom member 122 which is formed with a pair of upstanding, spaced parallel flange sections 124 and 126. The member 122 is formed with a central, generally rectangular shaped opening 128, the marginal side edges of which define laterally inwardly extending tab portions 130 and 132. Extending vertically upwardly from the forward end of the opening 128 is a generally triangularly shaped support member 134 which is formed with a circular opening 136 at the upper end or apex thereof, as best seen in FIG. 8. The bottom member 132 is preferably fabricated by a metal stamping operation from a flat or generally planar workpiece. The support member 1334 is preferably formed integral of the member 122 and is deformed to its vertical position during the aforesaid stamping operation wherein the opening 128 is stamped out of the member 122. The end of the opening 128 opposite that at which the support member 134 is located has a generally triangularly shaped actuating tongue, generally designated 138, depending downwardly therefrom and integrally connected to the member 122. The lower terminal end of the tongue 138 is formed with a generally circular or disc-shaped actuating portion 140 defining an annular camming face or edge 142. Disposed directly rearwardly of the opening 128 is another opening 144 which is also generally rectangular in shape but is somewhat smaller in longitudinal dimension than the opening 128. Disposed along the rear-ward, laterally extending edge of the opening 144 is an upwardly extending, generally triangularly shaped support member 146 which is formed integrally of the member 122 and is substantially identical to and longitudinally aligned with the support member 134. The support member 146 is formed with a circular opening 148 adjacent the upper end thereof, which opening 148 is longitudinally aligned with the opening 136 and is adapted to cooperate therewith in receiving and supporting the opposite ends of a longitudinally extending pivot shaft 150 which extends through the openings 136, 148 and terminates interiorly of the front and rear sections 108, 106, respectively, of the cab portion 12. The shaft 150 is adapted to function in a manner hereinafter to be described in supporting the cab portion 12 for pivotal movement, in the manner indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 2, about a longitudinally extending axis defined by the shaft 150.

As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the forward end of the chassis 14 is formed with an upwardly extending bearing support arm 152, the upper end of which is of a generally bifurcated configuration and defines a downwardly extending recess 154. The bed section 20 of the chassis 14, immediately rearwardly of the support arm 152, is formed with a central opening 156 which is formed as a result of stamping another upwardly extending hearing support arm 158 from the bed section 20, which support arm 158 extends vertically upwardly in spaced parallel longitudinally aligned relation to the support arm 152. The upper end of the support arm 158 is formed in a bifurcated configuration identical to the support arm 152 and defines a downwardly extending recess 160 that is longitudinally aligned with the recess 154. The recesses 154, 160 in the upper ends of the support arms 152, 158, respectively, are adapted to nestingly receive a pair of plastic keeper members 162 and 164 which may be and preferably are similar or identical in construction and operation to the axle keepers 30 provided on the chassis portion 14 for operatively supporting the axle members 40, 42 thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the keeps 162, 164 define upwardly extending recesses 166 which are adapted to nestingly receive the pivot shaft 150 during assembly of the cab portion 12 on the chassis 14, in a manner hereinafter to be described.

Assembly of the cab portion 12 may be accomplished by initially inserting into the cab 12, the windshield 118 and side windows 120, which may, if desired, be in the form of a one-piece unit. Thereafter, the seat insert may be placed within the cab 12, and finally the bottom member 122 may be secured across the lower open end of the cab 12, as by suitable locking tabs (not shown) on the cab 12 being fixedly engaged with the bottom member 122. The seat insert is preferably provided with suitable downwardly extending legs (not shown) which are adapted to be engaged by the laterally inwardly extending tab portions 130, 132 such that upon fixedly securing the bottom member 122 within the cab 12, the tab portions 130, 132 fixedly secure the seat insert in its proper operative position. Prior to securing the bottom member 122 to the cab 12, the pivot shaft 150 is mounted within the openings 136, 148, such that when the bottom member 122 is operatively mounted, the shaft 150 is prevented from being longitudinally displaced from within the openings 136, 148 by the front and back sections 108, 106 of the cab 12. After the cab 12 is thus preassembled, the same may be operatively mounted on the chassis 14 which itself has the dump box 44, wheels 16, etc. preassembled thereon. Assembly of the cab 12 on the chassis 14 is accomplished by laterally aligning the pivot shaft 150 with the open upper ends of the recesses 166 defined by the keepers 162, 164. Thereafter, the cab 12 is forced downwardly, whereupon the pivot shaft 150 snaps into the keepers 162, 164 and is retained therein by the natural resiliency of the keepers 162, 164, with the result that the cab 12 is secured to the upper side of the chassis 14 for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis defined by the shaft 150.

Generally speaking, the aforesaid pivotal movement of the cab 12 relative to the chassis 14, in the manner indicated by the various phantom positions shown in FIG. 2, is adapted to effect movement of the front wheels 18 of the vehicle 10 in the direction in which the cab 12 is pivoted or tilted. That is, if the cab 12 is tilted toward the right, the front wheels 18 are designed to turn toward the right, whereby the vehicle will steer toward the right when pushed forward. Similarly, when the cab 12 is tilted toward the left, the front wheels 18 of the vehicle 10 will move toward the left, thereby rendering the vehicle 10 to steer toward the left. Such pivotal or steering movement of the front wheels 18 of the vehicle 10 in response to tilting movement of the cab 12 is achieved through a new and improved steering mechanism, generally designated 168, which embodies certain principles of the present invention, and the construction and operation of which are hereinafter described in detail.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, the steering mechanism 168 is enclosed within upper and lower housing sections 170 and 172, respectively which are mounted on the lower side of the chassis 14. The upper housing section 17 0 comprises a generally flat, horizontally extending upper section 174 and a pair of spaced parallel, laterally extending sections 176 and 178 which depend downwardly from the upper section 174. The upper section 174 is formed with a central laterally extending opening 180 and includes a pair of downwardly extending, laterally aligned guideway tabs or projections 182 and 184. The section 174 is also formed with a pair of laterally aligned annular openings 186, 188 and with a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally aligned slots 190 and 192 which are spaced laterally inwardly from the openings 186, 188, respectively. The upper housing section 170 is adapted to be operatively mounted within a pair of laterally aligned, generally rectangular shaped upwardly extending recesses 194 and 196 which are formed in the side sections 22, 24, respectively of the chassis 14. The recesses 194, 196 define downwardly extending tab portions 198 and 200 which are adapted to be received within the slots 192, 190, and be bent or deformed laterally inwardly under the section 174 of the housing section 170 in order to fixedly secure the same to the chassis 14.

Disposed interiorly of the upper housing section 170 is a laterally extending tie rod member, generally designated 202. The member 202 comprises an intermediate section 204 and a pair of laterally outwardly extending arm sections 206 and 208 which are formed with downwardly extending, generally cylindrically shaped pivot pin portions 210 and .212, respectively. The intermediate section 204 is provided with an enlarged thickness portion 214 which defines a vertically disposed, laterally extending opening 216, that is vertically aligned with the opening 180 in the housing section 170 and the lateral length of which is slightly greater than the diameter of the circular actuating portion 140 of the actuating tongue 138 such that upon insertion of the portion 140 within the slot 216, the camming edge 142 is juxtapositioned between the opposite ends of the slot 216. The intermediate section 204 is also formed with a pair of laterally aligned slots 218 and 220 which are adapted to slidably receive the downwardly extending guideway projections 182 and 184. Extending downwardly from the lower side of the section 204 is a pair of generally L-shaped projections 222 and 224 and a pair of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending projections 226 and 228, the latter of which are disposed adjacent the forward and rearward edges of the member 202. The tie rod member 202 is provided with a generally C-shaped spring member 230 which comprises an intermediate, laterally extending section 232 and generally longitudinally extending leg sections 234 and 236. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the spring 230 is adapted to be retained directly rearwardly of the projection 226 with the leg sections 234, 236 extending rearwardly through suitable openings 238 and 240 formed in the L-shaped projections 224, 222, respectively. The rearward ends of the leg sections 234, 236 are adapted to bear against the laterally inner sides of the guideway projections 182, 184, whereby the spring 230 is adapted to function in continuously biasing the tie rod member 202 toward a position wherein it is centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10. More particularly, when the tie rod member 202 is biased toward the right in FIG. 5, the leg section 236 thereof will exert a. resilient force against the guideway projection 184, thereby resiliently urging the member 202 back toward the left to a centralized position. Similarly, when the tie rod member 202 is biased toward the left in FIG. 5, the leg section 234 of the spring 230 will exert a resilient force against the guideway projection 182 to resiliently urge the member 202 toward its respective centered position.

It will be seen that upon assembly of the cab 12 upon the chassis 14 in the manner hereinabove described, the actuating tongue 138 will be inserted downwardly through the opening 180 to a position wherein the actuating portion 140 thereof is received within the opening 216 in the tie rod member 202, with the camming edge 142 engaged with the laterally outer ends of the opening 216. With this arrangement, upon tilting movement of the cab 12 with respect to the chassis 14, the actuating portion 140 of the tongue 138 will bias or laterally slide the tie rod member 202 in the opposite direction. That is, when the cab 12 is tilted toward the right about the longitudinal axis defined by the shaft 150, the tie rod member 202 will be biased laterally toward the left, and upon tilting movement of the cab 12 toward the left, the tie rod member 202 will be laterally biased toward the right. As previously mentioned, the spring member 230 resiliently resists such lateral displacement of the tie rod member 202 and hence function-s to center the member 202 and, via the actuating tongue 138, acts to resiliently bias the cab 12 from its tilted position to a normal upright position shown by the solid lines in FIG. 2.

Disposed adjacent the laterally outer ends of the arm sections 206, 208 of the tie rod member 202 is a pair of kingpin members, generally designated 242, which are adapted to effect steering movement of the front wheels 18 of the vehicle 10 in response to lateral sliding movement or displacement of the tie rod member 202. The kingpin members 242 are of a generally cylindrical configuration and have reduced diameter, cylindrically shaped bearing portions 244 and 246- at the upper and lower ends thereof, respectively. The upper bearing sections 244 are adapted to be rotatably or pivotably received within the annular openings 186, 188 of the upper housing section 170, and the lower bearing sections 246 are adapted to be rotatably supported by the lower housing section 172 in a manner later to be described. As best seen in FIG. 5, the kingpins 242 are provided with longitudinally rearwardly extending pivot arms 248 which are formed with vertically extending bores 250 therein. The bores 250 are adapted to pivotably receive the downwardly extending pivot pin portions 210 and 212 therein, whereby the arm sections 206, 208 are pivotably connected to the kingpins 242. It will be seen in FIG. 5, that with the above described construction, lateral displacement of the tie rod member 202 toward the right will effect pivotal movement of the kingpins 242 about generally vertical axes defined by the bearing portions 244, 246 thereof in a counterclockwise direction. Similarly, lateral displacement of the tie rod member 202 toward the left in FIG. 5 will result in clockwise rotation of the kingpins 242.

Each of the kingpins 242 is formed with a laterally outwardly extending bore 252 (see FIG. 4) within which is located a laterally outwardly extending stub shaft 254. The shafts 254 are provided with enlarged diameter head sections 256 at the innermost ends thereof which bear against the laterally inner sides of the kingpins 242. The outer ends of the shafts 254 project laterally outwardly from the outer sides of the kingpins 242 and are adapted to be attached by any suitable means, for example, as by press-fitting or the like, within suitable axially extending bores 258 formed in the front wheels 18 of the vehicle 10. In a preferred construction of the present invention, the bores 252 are slightly larger in diameter than the shafts 254, whereby the shafts 254 and wheels 18 carried thereon, are freely rotatable with respect to the kingpins 242.

The kingpins 242 and tie rod member 202 are designed to be operatively retained within the confines of the upper housing section 170 by the aforementioned lower housing section 172. As best seen in FIG. 8, the housing section 172 comprises a generally fiat or planar horizontally extending body portion 260 which is formed with a generally vertically extending upper lip portion 262 along the forward or leading edge thereof. The body portion 260 is provided with a pair of downwardly extending, annular sleeve bearing portions 264 and 266 which define annular openings 268 and 270. The openings 268 and 270* and sleeve bearing portions 264 and 266 are coaxially aligned with the openings 188, 186 and are thereby adapted to receive and cooperate in rotatably supporting the lower bearing portions 246 of the kingpins 242, whereby the kingpins 242 are pivotably supported along laterally spaced vertically extending pivotal axes in the manner best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The body portion 260 is formed with a pair of laterally spaced slots 272 and 274 which are adapted to receive a pair of downwardly extending tab portions 276 and 278 formed on the lower edge of the section 176 of the upper housing @170, which tab portions 276, 278 may be bent or similarly deformed rearwardly or forwardly to retain the forward edge of the housing section 172 on the housing section 170. The rearward edge of the lower housing section 172 is formed with a pair of laterally extending recesses 280 and 282 which are adapted to nestingly receive and cooperate with a pair of laterally extending recesses 284 and 286 on the section 178 of the upper housing 170 and thereby secure the rearwardmost portions of the housing sections 170, 172 together.

In operation, it will be seen that the cab 12 will be free to pivot toward the left or right about the longitudinal axis defined by the pivot shaft i150, as above described. Such pivotal movement of the cab 12 will effect lateral sliding movement of the tie rod member 202 and rotation of the kingpins 242 and front vehicle Wheels 18 supported thereon. Accordingly, when the cab 12 is tilted toward the right, the tie rod member 202 will be biased toward the left in FIG. 5, thereby rotating the kingpins 242 in a clockwise direction, with the result that the wheels 18 supported on the kingpins 242 will be turned or steered toward the right. Similarly, when the cab 12 is tilted toward the left, the tie rod member 202 will be laterally displaced toward the right in FIG. 5, thereby effecting rotation of the kingpins 24.2 in a counterclockwise direction, resulting in the wheels 18 being moved or steered toward the left. Thus, it will be seen that the vehicle wheels 18 will be steered in the same direction as the cab 12 is tilted. As previously mentioned, the spring 230 will function to normally center the tie rod member 202 and hence will resiliently bias the wheels 18 toward a position where they are directed straight ahead of the vehicle 110 so that the vehicle will normally traverse a substantially straight or rectilinear path until such time as the cab 12 thereof is tilted toward either the left or the right with respect to the chassis 14.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a new and improved toy vehicle which is provided with a novel steering arrangement which is of an extremely simple design in that it is entirely devoid of any gear teeth, racks, pinions or the like, as has been employed in similar type toy vehicles heretofore known in the prior art. Accordingly, the vehicle of the present invention may be manufactured at a substantial savings in assembly time and attendant costs as compared with such heretofore known vehicles. Another feature of the present invention resides in the design of the pivotal connection between the cab and chassis portion thereof. Such a design permits convenient preassembly of the various components of the cab and chassis portions prior to assembly thereof, thus adapting the vehicle of the 10 present invention to modern mass production techniques. A further feature of the present invention resides in the convenient means for assembling and pivotably seouring the cab portion to the chassis portion through the provision of the pivot shaft provided on the lower side of the cab and the bearing support arms and plastic bearings or keepers that are provided on the chassis and adapted to snap into operative engagement with the shaft by merely aligning the pivot shaft therewith and subsequently exerting a downwardly directed force against the cab. Thus, the present invention is not only characterized by an extremely simple steering mechanism that may be produced at a considerable savings in manufacturing time and expense, 'but is also characterized by a design which permits diversified manufacturing and rapid final assembly.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is Well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a toy vehicle having a chassis portion, a body portion, and at least one steerable wheel movable in response to preselected movement of'the body portion relative to the chassis portion, the improvement comprising,

a pivot member defining a pivotal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle,

a pair of forward and rearward longitudinally spaced support members on said body portion for supporting said pivot member,

a pair of forward and rearward longitudinally spaced support arms on said chassis portion and arranged between said forward and rearward support members, said support arms being pivotably engageable with said pivot member, whereby said body portion is pivotable about a longitudinally extending axis defined by said pivot member relative to said chassis portion.

2. In a toy vehicle having a chassis portion, a body portion, and at least one steerable wheel movable in response to preselected movement of the body portion relative to the chassis portion, the improvement comprising,

a pivot member defining a pivotal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle,

means supporting said pivot member on one of the vehicle portions, and

means including a support arm projecting from the other of the vehicle portions and engageable With said pivot member for supporting said other portion on said one portion for relative pivotal movement,

the upper end of said support arm being of a generally bifurcated configuration and defining a recessed portion adapted to pivotably receive said pivot member therewithin.

3. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot member comprises a longitudinally extending pivot shaft, which includes a pair of longitudinally spaced, generally vertically arranged support arms, and which includes bearing means interposed between said support arms and said pivot shaft for pivotably supporting said shaft on said support arms.

4. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 2 wherein said support arms extend upwardly from said chassis portion, wherein said shaft is mounted on the lower side of said body portion, and wherein the upper ends of said support arms are provided with hearing means adapted to pivotably engage said shaft.

5. In a toy vehicle comprising a chassis portion, a body portion and at least two steerable wheels, the improvement comprising,

means supporting the body portion for relative tilting movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the chassis portion,

said last mentioned means comprising pivot shaft means on said body portion and bearing means on the other of said portions pivotably engageable with said shaft means,

said bearing means including a pair of longitudinally spaced bearing support arms extending upwardly from said chassis portion, each of said arms having bearing means adjacent the upper end thereof engageable with said pivot shaft means for pivotably supporting said body portion on said chassis portion,

said bearing means comprising a resilient deformable bearing member having an outer peripheral recessed portion for receiving the upper end of one of said bearing support arms and defining a central annular groove adapted to detachably receive said pivot shaft means therewithin,

a tie rod extending generally laterally of said chassis portion,

means supporting said tie rod for lateral sliding movement relative to said chassis portion,

means for effecting lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to titlting movement of said body portion,

a pair of ikingpins disposed adjacent the opposite sides of said chassis portion,

means supporting said kingpins for pivotal movement about generally vertical axes, means rotably supporting the steerable wheels of said kingpins, and

means including pivot arm means pivotably connecting the laterally outer ends of said tie rod with said kingpins, whereby lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to tilting movement of said body portion results in pivotal movement of said kingpins and said steerable wheels supported thereon.

6. In a toy vehicle comprising a chassis portion, a

body portion and at least two steerable wheels, the improvement comprising,

means supporting the body portion for relative tilting movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the chassis portion,

a tie rod extending generally laterally of said chassis portion and comprising connecting elements on the outer ends thereof,

means supporting said tie rod for lateral sliding movement relative to said chassis portion,

means for effecting lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to tilting movement of said body portion,

a pair of kingpins disposed adjacent the opposite sides of said chassis portion,

means supporting said kingpins for pivotal movement about generally vertical axes,

means rotatably supporting the steerable wheels of said kingpins, and

means including pivot arm elements on said kingpins, and pivot pin means and pivot pin receiving aperture means on said elements, with said aperture means being adapted for pivotable engagement with said pivot pin means, whereby said kingpins are pivotably connected to said tie rod and lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to tilting movement of said body portion results in pivotal movement of said kingpins and said steerable wheels supported thereon.

7. In a toy vehicle comprising a chassis portion, a

body portion and at least two steerable Wheels, the improvement comprising,

means supporting the body portion for relative tilting movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the chassis portion,

a tie rod extending generally laterally of said chassis portion,

said tie rod being movable from a central intermediate position to positions displaced laterally outwardly in either direction from said intermediate position,

means including a pair of laterally spaced projections on said chassis portion, a pair of laterally spaced openings on said tie rod through which said projections extend, for guiding said tie rod for lateral dis- 5 placed movement.

a generally C-shaped spring comprising a pair of spaced leg portions engageable with said tie rod for normally biasing the same toward said intermediate position,

means for effecting lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to tilting movement of said body portion,

a pair of kingpins disposed adjacent the opposite sides of said chassis portion,

means supporting said kingpins for pivotal movement about generally vertical axes,

means rotatably supporting the steerable wheels of said kingpins, and

means including pivot arm means pivotably connecting the laterally outer ends of said tie rod with said kingpins, whereby lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to tilting movement of said body portion results in pivotal movement of said ikingpins and said steerable wheels supported thereon.

8. In a toy vehicle comprising a chassis portion, a body portion and at least two steerable wheels, the improvement comprising,

means supporting the body portion for relative tilting movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the chassis portion,

a tie rod extending generally laterally of said chassis portion and having connecting elements on the outer ends thereof,

a generally laterally extending enclosure having vertically spaced upper and lower side portions for supporting said tie rod for sliding movement from a central intermediate position to positions displaced laterally in either direction from said intermediate position,

means extending downwardly through said upper portion of said enclosure for efiecting lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to tilting movement of said body portion,

spring means having a first portion fixed relative to said enclosure and a second portion extending at generally a right angle to the direction of movement of said tie rod for normally biasing said tie rod toward said intermediate position,

a pair of kingpins disposed adjacent the opposite sides of said chassis portion,

journal means on said kingpins and cooperable with said upper and lower portions of said enclosure for supporting said kingpins for pivotal movement about generally vertical axes,

means rotatably supporting the steerable wheels of said kingpins, and

pivot arm elements fixedly attached to said kingpins, pivot pin means and pivot pin receiving aperture means on said pivot arm elements and said connecting elements, said aperture means adapted for pivotal engagement with said pivot pin means for pivotably connecting the laterally outer ends of said tie rod with said kingpins, whereby lateral sliding movement of said tie rod in response to tilting movement of said body portion results in pivotal movement of said kingpins and said steerable wheels supported thereon.

9. In a toy vehicle having a chassis portion, a body portion, and at least one steerable wheel movable in re- 70 sponse to preselected movement of the body portion relative to the chassis portion, the improvement comprising,

a pivot member comprising a longitudinally extending pivot shaft mounted on the lower side of said body portion and defining a pivotal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle,

13 means supporting said pivot member on one of the vehicle portions,

means including a pair of longitudinally spaced, generally vertically arranged support arms engageable with said pivot member for supporting said body portion on said chassis portion for relative pivotal movement,

the upper ends of said support arms being of a generally bifurcated configuration and defining central recessed portions adapted to pivotably receive said shaft therewithin, and

bearing means interposed between said support arms and said pivot shaft for pivotably supporting said shaft on said support arms,

said bearing means comprising resilient deformable bearing members having an outer peripheral recessed portion for receiving the upper ends of said bearing support arms and defining central annular grooves adapted to detachably receive said pivot shaft means therewithin.

10. In a toy vehicle having a chassis portion, a body portion, and at least one steerable wheel movable in response to preselected movement of the body portion relative to the chassis portion, the improvement comprising,

a pivot member defining a pivotal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle,

means supporting said pivot member on one of the vehicle portions,

means including a support arm projecting from the other of the vehicle portions and engageable with said pivot member for supporting said other portion on said one portion for relative pivotal movement, and

bearing means mounted on the outer end of said support arm and comprising a resilient deformable bearing member defining an opening adapted for pivotal engagement with said pivot member, said bearing member further defining an access slot of slightly smaller dimension than said pivot member for inserting said pivot member into said opening, the resilient character of said bearing member permitting said pivot member to deform said bearing member sufficiently to let said pivot member be biased through said access slot into said opening and be pivotably retained within said opening.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said outer end of said support arm defines a recessed portion adapted to receive said bearing member therewithin.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein an outer peripheral portion of said bearing member is recessed and adapted for engagement with a generally bifurcated portion of said support arm.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said access slot is arranged generally vertically and is adapted to receive said pivot member upon application of a generally vertically applied force of said body portion against said chassis portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,888,778 6/1959 Carter 86-201 3,144,731 8/1964 Jones et al. 46-201 3,145,056 8/ 1964 Blahnik 462 14X 3,205,616 9/1965 Nisperly 46201 3,406,480 10/ 1968 Jolie 46-201 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner J. N. ESKOVITZ, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

